Written Answers Nos. 329-351
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Written Answers Nos. 329-351
329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision can be expected in respect of eligibility for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17455/14]
View answerThe application for disability allowance from the person concerned was disallowed on the 9 April 2014 on the grounds that his weekly means were in excess of the statutory limit allowed for a person in his circumstances. If the person concerned wishes to have this decision reviewed he should request same and send in any additional relevant information to the Department and his claim will be reviewed by a deciding officer.
330. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 1 April 2014, if there are facilities for Irish citizens who are living permanently or temporarily in another EU member state to acquire a personal public service, PPS, number other than that outlined in her previous answer. [17480/14]
View answerThe reply to the previous Parliamentary Question set out the procedure for applying for a PPS Number where the applicant is present in the State.
Where a person is resident abroad, either permanently or temporarily, and requires a PPS Number, he or she may apply by means of a postal process. The required forms must be completed and returned along with evidence of identity and address to the Department at Registration Section, Client Identity Services, Department of Social Protection, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim. Alternatively, completed forms and supporting documentation can be emailed to cis@welfare.ie .
The necessary forms have been sent to the Deputy’s office for information.
334. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a disability allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17488/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned has been notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
335. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons employed on the JobBridge scheme in County Longford over the past three years; and the number of persons who participated on this scheme who were offered a full-time position after their internship. [17492/14]
View answerJobBridge has made very significant progress since it came into operation on 1 July 2011. As at 3 April 2014, 27,506 internship placements have commenced with 6,603 participants currently on a JobBridge placement and 2,588 internship posts currently advertised on the JobBridge website.
To date, 209 internship placements have been taken up in County Longford. Of this 53 are currently on a placement and 156 have completed. Table 1 contains a breakdown by year. The progression outcomes for County Longford are not recorded separately from national data. At a national level an independent evaluation has found that over 30% of interns progress directly into employment immediately on finishing a placement and that this progression rate increases to 61% five months after completion. These progression outcomes compare favourably with similar schemes across the OECD.
Table 1: Placement breakdown by year in County Longford as at 3 rd April 2014.
|
- |
Completed Placements |
Currently on Programme |
Total Placements |
|
2011 |
32 |
0 |
32 |
|
2012 |
73 |
0 |
73 |
|
2013 |
49 |
27 |
76 |
|
2014 |
2 |
26 |
28 |
|
Total |
156 |
53 |
209 |
336. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria for coeliacs to receive dietary allowance. [17530/14]
View answerDiet supplement, administered under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, is payable to qualifying persons who have been prescribed a special diet, including gluten free, as a result of a specified medical condition. The numbers in receipt of the scheme have been declining in recent years from 12,000 in 2006 to a current figure of some 5,800 which is expected to cost around €3 million in 2014. The scheme is now closed to new applicants from 1 February 2014.
During 2013, the Department commissioned the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) to update their previous research published in 2006 and updated in 2007 on the costs of healthy eating and specialised diets. Pricing for a selection of foods based on branded and own label foods was surveyed in a sample of retail outlets for each diet. These outlets included large stores, large low cost stores, medium sized stores and convenience stores.
The research shows that the range of costs associated with a specialised diet is influenced mainly by the shopping location with the lowest costs being the large discount store and the highest cost the convenience store. In general choice was found to be limited in convenience stores with regard to healthier options. The more specialised the diet, for example gluten free, the more the individual is required to frequent the larger stores in order to be able to purchase the necessary foods. The research showed that the average costs across all of the retail outlets of the diets supplemented under the scheme can be met from within one third of the minimum personal rate of social welfare payment, i.e. the SWA rate of €186 per week. On the basis of this evidence, I decided to discontinue the scheme.
Existing recipients as at end January 2014 will continue to receive the diet supplement at the current rate of payment for as long as they continue to have an entitlement to the scheme or until their circumstances change. This will allow existing customers to adjust to the new arrangements and anticipate how they will be affected by any future change in their circumstances. It also ensures that nobody is immediately worse off by the closure of the scheme.
In cases of hardship that may present, officials have the legislative power to award a payment under the SWA scheme in cases of exceptional need. Any person experiencing difficulties should contact the officer administering SWA who may be able to provide assistance.
337. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in issuing a decision on an oral hearing held on 3 March 2014 for jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17547/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at the oral hearing, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 8 April 2014.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
338. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of complaints made regarding treatment of clients by front-line staff in social welfare offices during each of the past four years; and the remedies available to clients. [17552/14]
View answerThe Department is committed to delivering a high quality customer service to all its customers. In 2013, the Department delivered weekly social welfare payments to 1.5 million customers, answered 8.3 million telephone calls, processed 2.1 million applications and carried out 1.1 million control reviews. The Department’s wide range of schemes and services are delivered by a staff of almost 7,000. The Customer Charter and Action Plan 2013-2015 sets out the level of service customers can expect when dealing with the Department and the commitment to provide a professional, efficient, courteous and timely service to all customers. Customers will be informed of their rights and entitlements, provided with full and clear information and their privacy respected.
The Customer Charter is prominently displayed in all public offices and is also available on the Department’s website at www.welfare.ie. All channel options for contacting the Quality Customer Services Team are clearly set out in the Customer Charter and Action Plan.
If a customer is dissatisfied with the standard of service they receive, they should contact the staff member or section involved to have the matter resolved. If this does not resolve the issue to their satisfaction, they can make a formal complaint to the Quality Customer Service Team in person, by telephone, in writing or on line at www.welfare.ie. Their complaint will be dealt with promptly, fairly and impartially. Receipt of the complaint will be acknowledged, and it will be referred to a complaints officer for investigation. A response to the customer normally issues within 15 working days of the date of receipt of the complaint.
If the complaint remains unresolved, the customer has the right of further appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman.
While it is not possible to provide the Deputy with details of complaints received against front line staff specifically, the table provides a breakdown of the formal complaints received for the past four years.
|
Nature of complaints |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
Total |
|
Officer Named Complaints |
27 |
103 |
102 |
171 |
403 |
|
“Fairness & Courtesy” Complaints |
119 |
97 |
110 |
87 |
413 |
339. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of rent supplement in Dublin; the number of persons in the rental accommodation scheme in Dublin; and the cost of the respective schemes for Dublin. [17558/14]
View answerThe purpose of rent supplement is to provide short-term support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The Government has provided over €344 million for the scheme in 2014, expenditure on a county basis is not available. There are currently approximately 78,000 rent supplement recipients of which some 29,000 are in the Dublin area. Recipient numbers and expenditure in relation to the rental accommodation scheme is a matter for the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
340. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on his disability allowance claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17585/14]
View answerDisability allowance is a means tested payment. In order to determine the person concerned means, his file was sent to a Social Welfare Investigator (SWI) for interview. The person concerned was due to meet with the SWI on 8 April 2014 in relation to this matter but the person had to cancel the arrangement. An alternative arrangement will be made by the SWI to interview the person as soon as possible.
A decision on the person’s entitlement to disability allowance will be given on receipt of the SWI’s report and he will be notified directly of the outcome.
In the meantime, if the person’s means are insufficient to meet his needs he may apply for supplementary welfare allowance to his local community welfare service.
341. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a rent supplement allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17595/14]
View answer355. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the reality that some persons in receipt of rent supplement from her Department are required to pay top-ups of rent to landlords over and above the rent caps agreed for the areas in which they are living in order for them to continue to secure their tenancy. [17758/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 355 together.
There are currently approximately 78,000 rent supplement recipients for which the Government has provided over €344 million for 2014.
The person referred to by the Deputy is not in receipt of rent supplement from the Department.
The maximum rent limits under the rent supplement scheme are comprehensively reviewed every 18 months which ensures that State support for rents is kept under review in line with market conditions. The Department completed a review of the maximum rent limits for rent supplement and revised rent limits came into effect from mid-June June 2013 which will remain in place until 31 December 2014. The emphasis of the review is to ensure availability of accommodation for rent supplement tenancies and not to provide access to all housing in all areas while ensuring maximum value for money is achieved. Despite the overall pressures on the social protection budget, there have been increases in the rent limits in Dublin, Galway, North Kildare and Bray areas.
I am aware of the current difficulties facing people in sourcing accommodation, particularly in Dublin, due to the reduced availability of rental properties. Increasing the maximum rent limits for rent supplement will not resolve this difficulty, due to the reduced level of supply, and would result in further increases in rental costs for all persons renting including those on reduced incomes and students. I have no plans to revise or abolish the maximum rent limits at this time.
The Dublin local authorities are currently engaging with the Department in developing an inter-agency intervention system to identify vulnerable families who are currently in receipt of rent supplement and at risk of becoming homeless due to the imminent loss of their tenancy. These cases will be assessed on an individual basis having regard to the individual circumstances of the families involved.
A top up payment referred to by the Deputy can occur where the applicant declares a rent lower than that actually being charged by the landlord. There has been no evidence presented to the Department showing widespread practice of illegal top ups. Such cases should be reported to the Department which has specific legislative powers to deal with such offences.
To facilitate such a “top up” arrangement, the tenant, landlord or landlord’s agent must complete the rent supplement application and jointly declare that the information provided is correct and accurate. The application form clearly states that making a false statement or withholding information may lead to prosecution. The Department, in June 2012, introduced powers of enquiry for staff to formally request and oblige landlords to provide information in respect of rent supplement tenants to further improve the governance arrangements.
I want to assure the Deputies, that Department officials administering rent supplement have considerable experience in dealing with customers of the scheme and will continue to make every effort to ensure that their accommodation needs are met.
342. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the purpose and the cost to date of development and roll-out of the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17614/14]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection has developed, in conjunction with a number of other Government Departments, a rules based standard for establishing and authenticating an individual’s identity for the purposes of access to public services.
This programme of work, which is known as Standard Authentication Framework Environment, or SAFE for short, also provided for the introduction of a Public Services Card (PSC) to enable individual’s to gain access to public services more efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent possible.
The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public sector such as the free travel pass and the social services card of the Department and to make it easy for providers of public services to verify the identity of customers.
There are 4 main sub-programmes to the PSC Project:
1. PSC design and delivery: The projects to design, develop and deliver the PSC along with the capability to issue, interact with, manage and provide customer support for the card,
2. SAFE Registration development : The projects to develop and deliver the SAFE registration business processes and the ICT systems within the Department to support them and generate PSC requests,
3. DSP Deployment : The projects to deploy the functionality in the Department’s offices, register clients and issue cards to them, and
4. Future use : Projects to oversee the future development and use of the PSC and its infrastructure, including possible use for on-line and financial services both internally and in other public service bodies.
The first two programmes of work are complete with respect to the standard PSC, a Free Travel variant of the PSC compatible with the Department of Transport’s Integrated Ticketing System and a variant suitable for issue to juveniles.
With regard to the third programme – DSP deployment: Following a pilot deployment, volume production of PSCs commenced in July 2012. Since then, the accelerated roll-out of SAFE Registration functionality across the country has continued.
The total capital costs of these programmes were estimated to be in the region of €24m, VAT exclusive, for a population of 3 million people with registration and card issuance taking about three to five years. There is no reason to believe that these estimates will be exceeded. A total of €9,854,985 was spent to 31/12/2013.
Following the pilot deployment mentioned above, sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for 150 additional temporary staff to support customer registration and card roll-out. The estimated cost associated with these staff in terms of salaries and training over the lifetime of the project is €10.9M.
To date, over 645,000 PSCs have been issued including some 142,000 Free Travel variants.
343. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17629/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, including that adduced at oral hearing, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 08th April 2014.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
344. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an invalidity allowance appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17631/14]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an oral hearing of the appeal of the person concerned took place on 07th April 2014 and that the Appeals Officer is now considering the appeal in the light of all of the evidence submitted, including that adduced at the oral hearing. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision when the appeal has been determined.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
345. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an oral appeal hearing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17638/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 10th January 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 18th March 2014 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
346. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a review of the decision to refuse the application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17639/14]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 11th April 2014. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
347. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the monitoring mechanisms employed to reduce fraudulent payment of child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17660/14]
View answerThe control strategy in operation on the child benefit scheme ensures that payment is only made in respect of children where there is an ongoing entitlement. The Department carried out a Fraud and Error survey on child benefit in 2012 which confirmed the Department’s view that the child benefit scheme is a low risk scheme in terms of fraud and error and that the existing control policy is effective.
Child benefit is a universal monthly payment made to the parents/guardians of children that assists families with the cost associated with raising children. Child benefit is paid to some 607,919 families in respect of some 1.16 million children with an expenditure of approximately €1.9 billion in 2013.
Safeguarding the child benefit budget and ensuring that it is only paid to eligible families remains a priority. A control strategy has been adopted and operated by the Department which includes risk assessment, surveys of the levels of fraud and error, scheme specific review policies, data matching initiatives with both external and internal parties and the investigation of anonymous reports. These control tools ensure that review activity is targeted in the most effective manner and the results are monitored.
One of the main features of the child benefit control programme is the issue of continuing eligibility certificates to customers. The Department commenced the issue of eligibility certificates to parents in 2008 and the control policy for the child benefit scheme was again reviewed in 2010. The percentage of savings arising from the eligibility certificates has been falling year on year proving the effectiveness of the control programme.
Another key measure, for customers who are paid at their local post office, is the monthly check carried out where the customer must certify that they qualify for the payment. The Department has also begun the phased roll out of the Public Service Card which features photographic identification of the customer.
The child benefit control programme is kept under regular review based on the outcomes achieved.
348. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons refused domiciliary care allowance during 2012, 2013 and 2014; if she will be reviewing policies regarding this allowance in view of the recent High Court judgment; if her Department will be contacting persons who were unsuccessful in their application and notifying them of the ability to re-apply; the number they will be contacting; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17676/14]
View answerThe number of DCA applications refused from 2010 to date is as follows:
Domiciliary Care Allowance applications – 2010 to date
|
- |
Applications fully processed in year |
Applications allowed incl. on review |
Allowed on appeal |
Disallowed |
Total and as % of all processed claims |
|
2012 |
4,680 |
2,204 |
903 |
1,573 |
3,107 (66%) |
|
2013 |
4,404 |
2,444 |
808 |
1,152 |
3,252 (73%) |
|
2014 to end March) |
1,032 |
636 |
278 |
118 |
914 (88%) |
It should be noted that the figures in relation to refusals (* in table above) does not reflect cases were an applicant may have re-applied at a later date and been successful.
The High Court ruling of the 1st April, to which the Deputy refers, involved a challenge by a mother in relation to the process involved in determining eligibility on her claim for DCA. While the Judge found in her favour and ordered that the decision in this individual claim be returned to the Department for reconsideration, he has also put a stay on the order to the 28th April, thus providing time to the Department to consider the detailed judgement, along with any implications it may have for decision making. Therefore, I am not in a position to comment further at this time on what actions may be required as a result of this judgement.
349. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide funding for training for community employment staff in County Laois to train in child care up to level 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17700/14]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection (DSP) is consolidating and improving the provision of training and work experience for CE participants in particular for those who wish to pursue a career in child care. For CE participants who work directly with children, a dedicated programme comprising formal learning and supervised work experience is now a mandatory part of participation. This formal learning programme will lead to a FETAC Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education. This is the minimum entry requirement for a Child care Practitioner. In acknowledgement of the training requirements participation on a child care place will be for a maximum of 3 years, and linked to the successful participation of the CE participant in the training and work experience programme provided. The new CE Childcare scheme started in Laois on the 3rd of March 2014 under the CE Sponsorship of Laois Community & Enterprise Development Company Ltd. The Childcare CE scheme has been allocated 50 CE places. Thirty-three CE places are allocated to the direct provision of child care and 17 places are allocated for child care support. An additional training budget to facilitate the completion of the full Major Award at Level 5 in Childcare will be made available. The Childcare CE scheme has also been allocated an additional CE Supervisor to mentor and support the Childcare participants through the Major Award.
This programme involves defined standards of achievement, a career progression path, and a structure for CE participants in Early Years Services. These changes are designed to provide a more tailored and valuable support to the provision of community child care and to achieve greater coherence between participation on CE and the job market.
